When Raj Kapoor Directed Three Generations of His Family In This Cult Classic

Raj Kapoor is remembered by film lovers as a remarkable producer, director, actor, editor, as well as a musician. He realised the potential of cinema to address social issues effectively and made hit films like Awaara and Prem Rog. Did you know Awaara is remembered by the audience for representing three generations of the Kapoor family in the film? Raj Kapoor’s grandfather Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor played the cameo role of a judge in this film. His scene appears in the opening and closing frames of Awaara. Raj Kapoor’s father, Prithviraj Kapoor (Justice Raghunath), and his young brother, Shashi Kapoor (Junior Raju) also acted in this film. Everyone played their roles with utmost finesse. Awaara was a success at the box office. Awaara was released on December 14, 1951, and is known as a cult classic.

Awaara revolves around Raju (Raj Kapoor), who has been estranged from his father, a district judge. He had left Raju’s mother years ago. Raju starts living with a dacoit (pickpocket bandit) and realises that the goon is actually responsible for the misunderstanding between his parents. Raju kills him, and then tries to kill his father as well, but fails to do so and is arrested. He is taken to court and presented before his father, who presides there as the Judge. Whether his father will be able to do justice, without involving any personal judgement or not forms the core theme of the film. This was the third film of Raj Kapoor. Awaara emerged as a hit in Russia as well.